Sectional insulator and hand-switch.



N. K. BOWMAN.

' SECTIONAL INSULATOR AND HAND SWITCH;

APPLICATIQN FILED MAYIY. l9I 6 1,235,7 3.

Patented Aug. 7,1917.

2 SHEETS-shin 1.

I lwuewlioz N. K. BOWMAN SECTIONAL INSULATOR AND HAND SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. I916.

Patented Aug. ,7, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I 8mm MKBOWMML NEWTON K. BOWMAN, OF NORTH LAWRENCE, OHIO.

SECTIONAL INSULATOB, AND- HAND-SWITCH;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

Application filed May 17, 1916. Serial No. 98,180.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEWTON K. BoWMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Lawrence, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sectional Insulators and Hand-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and usefulv improvements in section insulators and hand switches, one object of my invention being the provision of a section insulator and hand switch for trolley wires of the type in which the adjacent ends of trolley wires are clamped in splice sleeves forming part of the body of the insulator so that any slack in the wires may be taken up from time to time without the necessity of cutting the wires.

ever, consists in the provision of a section insulator and switch of the above type which will insure perfect insulation of the sections when the switch is open and perfect contact I when the switch is closed.

A further object which I have in view is the provision of a device of this character which will afford a'continuous contact for the trolley wheel when the switch is closed and which will insure a safe passage for the trolley wheel in case, through oversight, the switch should not be closed.

While keeping these objects in mind, I also aim to construct a section insulator and switch which may be quickly and easily applied, conveniently operated and which is simple and economical in construction, the parts being so arranged as to permit renewal of worn contacts or other parts at small expense.

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically pointed out in the claims which are attached to and form a part of this application.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of my section insulator and switch in closed position; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device in closed position, showing the continuous contact for the trolley wheel;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device in open position; N s

Fig. 4: is a bottom plan view of the device in open position, showing the space for the The primary objectof my invention, howpassage of a trolley wheel in order that neither the trolley wheel nor the switch may be injured if the switch is left open through accident. 1 Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followin description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. 7

Broadly speaking, my section insulator and-switch primarily includes an intermediate section or bond 10 of insulation,carrying at its ends splice sleeves 11 which in turn carry a switch structure, indicated as a whole by the numeral 12. The intermediate section 10 may be formed of fiber or any other suitable insulating material, being substantially rectangular in cross section with its lower edge somewhat rounded. Each of the splice sleeves includes a closed sleeve proper adapted tosnugly receive one end of the intermediate section 10 to which it is secured by rivets 13 or other suitable fastoning means. Each splice sleeve, be-' yond this body portion proper, is w cutaway along its upper portion to provide a U-shaped trolley wire receiving portion 14:. The bottom wall tapers in thickness adj acent its free end, being reduced externally in order to provide, in connection with a wire extending into the sleeve, as smooth and continuous a bearing surface for. the trolley wheel as possible. These splice sleeves, near their outer ends, are formed with upwardly directed opposed ears 15 preferably thickened by eXteriorly formed bosses 16 and a rivet, bolt or other suitable fastening device 17 is passed through these cars and forms the pivot for a clamping dog 18. These clamping dogs may be of any suitable type, those shown in the drawings being each in the form of a number of plates of suitable metal, such as steel, having a cam shaped head 19 formed at an eccentric point with an opening for the pivot 17 and at one side with a handle forming shank 20, the free ends of the shanks of all of these sections being loosely secured by a rivet 21 or other fastening device. The peripheral edges of the cam heads of the sections are formed with V-shaped wire engaging teeth 22 in order that the ends of trolley wires passed into the splice sleeves may be firmly clamped inplace by swinging the dogs to the position shown in Fig. 1. v

The top of each of; the body portions proper of the splice sleeves 11 is formed with an upwardly directed threaded stud 23, these studs serving as pivotal supports for the switch structure which will now be explained. A substantially L-shaped switch arm 24 is formed adjacent its bend and upon its upper face with a reinforcing boss 25 through which is an opening permitting the mounting of the arm upon one of the studs 23. The upper face of this switch arm is formed throughout the greater portion of its length ith a longitudinal reinforcing rib 2G and the arm is held against displacement from the stud by a nut 27. A spring washer 28 is interposed between the boss and nut and is provided with an extension having a notch 29 to engage over this rib 26 to hold the washer against turning movement, the washer in turn anchoring the nut against turning. In like manner, a second substantially L-shaped switch arm 30 is provided, this arm at one end being reinforced by a boss 31 through which is formed an opening to receive the other stud 23 upon which the arm is mounted and secured by a nut 32 and spring washer 33, the washer having a notched extension extending over a longitudinal reinforcing rib 35.

' This switch arm 30, adjacent its bend, is formed with an outward extension 36 provided with a strengthening boss 37 and rib 38 and the shorter end of the switch arm 24 is also provided with a reinforcing boss 39. These bosses are formed with pivot receiving openings and pins 40 are passed through the ends of a link 41 and through the openings of the bosses and anchored against displacement by cotter pins 42 or other suitable fastening devices. This link 41 is rigid and is made of fiber or other suitable insulating material in order that no current may pass from one switch arm to the other by way of the link, the function of the link being to insure simultaneous and reverse movement of the switch arms when either arm is manually moved. As will be seen, the switch arms are mounted to swing one upon either side of the intermediate section of the device and each arm, intermediate its length, has a laterally directed web portion 43 to the upper and lower sides of which are secured opposed resilient contact plates 44, the free ends of which are bent outwardly away from each other somewhat, as shown at 45, in order that the free end of the opposite switch arm may engage snugly between them when the switch is in closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the switch arms, together with these contact plates, forming in effect a double knife blade switch to abso lutely insure an unrestricted passage of current from one splice sleeve to the other when the switch is closed. 7

The switch arm 24, adjacent its free end, is formed with an angularly projecting shank 46, the free end of which is provided with a threaded socket to receive the end of a bolt 47, the head of which seats in a socket 48 formed in a handle 49, this bolt serving to secure the handle to the shank 46. A disk-shaped shield 50 of fiber or other suit able insulating material is preferably interposed between the handle and shank 46 in order to protect the operator from any possible injury, due to arcing when opening and closing the switch. As will be apparent, this handle projects laterally from the side of the section insulator and switch and may, therefore, be conveniently grasped for opening and closing of the switch, both switch arms moving simultaneously and in opposite directions because of the connecting link 41. The switch arm 30 is preferably provided with a downwardly projecting stop lug 51 adapted to engage the adjacent splice sleeve 11 when the switch is in fully open position, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

In order to insure a continuous contact of the trolley wheel when passing the closed switch and in order that the trolley wheel may at no time engage an unenergized portion of the device, the switch arms 24 and 30 are formed with bridging contacts or sleeve sections 52. Each of these bridging contacts or sleeve sections is in the form of a plate depending from and preferably formed integral with the intermediate portion of its switch arm and at its lower end having an inbent portion 53 adapted to e11- gage beneath the bond 10 of insulation.

These inturned lower portions of the plates r are so proportioned as to fit snugly about the lower portion of this bond 10 and to completely bridge the gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves 11 when the switch is closed, as will be appreciated by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. For this reason, the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves and the ends of the inturned portions of the bridging contacts or sleeve sections are cut at angles, as indicated at 54 in Fig. 2, so that there may be no binding action in either opening or closing the switch. By this means, a continuous energized contact surface is provided for the trolley wheel when the switch is closed. Preferably, the bridging contacts or sleeve sections are reinforced by vertical ribs 55 which, however, terminate at their lower ends at a suitable level to avoid engagement by a trolley wheel.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings, ample space is provided for the passage of a. trolley wheel when the switch is opened so that no injury will be caused either to the trolley wheel or to the switch arms, in case the switch should be left open through oversight. Inasmuch as my section insulator and switch is extremely simple in construction, its operation will be readily appreciated by referring to the drawings and no further explanation is believed to be necessary. All arcing at the switch during the passageof a trolley wheel is prevented as the wheel at no time, engages an unenergized portion of the device.

Although I have illustrated and described my invention inall its details of construction, it will of course be understood that I reserve the right to make any changes, within the scope of the appended claims, which may be found desirable, without in the slightest degree departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: i

1. A section insulator-and switch including an intermediate body of insulating material, wire receiving splice sleeves carried by the-body and insulated from each other by the body, switch arms mounted upon the sleeves and each having a. contact plate engageable by the other switch arm in one position of the arms, and means for simultaneously swinging the arms toward and away from each other.

2-. A section insulator and switch'including an intermediate body of insulating maneously swinging the arms toward and away from each other, said means including a link of insulating material connecting the arms, and a handle for manually operating one arm.

3. A section insulator and switch including a body of insulating material, trolley wire receiving splice sleeves secured to op-' posite ends of the body with their adjacent ends spaced from each other, switch arms swingingly mounted one upon each splice sleeve and in electrical engagement therewith, means for manually swinging one switch arm, insulated connecting means be tween the switch arms, whereby they will move in unison toward and away from each other, spaced contact plates carried by each arm and adapted to receive between them the free end of the other arm in one position of the switch arms, and sleeve forming sections carried one by each arm and adapted in such position of the arms to form a continuation of the splice sleeves about the intermediate section,

4. A section insulator and switch including trolley wire receiving splice sleeves, a member of insulating material connecting the splice sleeves, switch arms swingingly mounted upon the splice sleeves and movable toward and away from each other to open and close a circuit between the splice sleeves, and means carried by the switch arms for bridging the gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves to afford a continuous electrical contact for a trolleypassing the switch when the latter is closed. 5. A section insulator and switch including a block of insulating material, splice sleeves adapted at one end to snugly receive the ends of the block to which they are connected and having their other ends open to receive trolley wires, means for clamping wires in the latter ends of the sleeves, co acting switch members carried by the sleeves and movable to open and close a circuit between the sleeves, and contact plates carried by the members and movable with them to embrace the bottom and sides of the portion of block between the sleeves when the circuit is closed.

6. A section insulator and switch including a block of insulating vmaterial, splice sleeves adapted at one end to snugly receive the ends of the block to which they are connected and having their other ends open'to receive trolley wires, means for clamping wires in the latter ends of the sleeves, co-act ing switch members carried by the sleeves and movable to open and close a circuit between the sleeves, and contact platescarried by the members and movable with them to embrace the bottom and sides of the portion of block between the sleeves when the circuit is closed, said plates being so arranged that when the circuit is opened they are supported in spaced relation to the sides of the block and out of the path of a passing trolley wheel.

7. A section insulator and switch including splice sleeves adapted to lockingly receive ends of trolley wires, a block of insulating material having its ends secured in adjacent ends of the splice sleeves, whereby the sleeves are insulated from each other, a

switch arm pivoted intermediate its length upon one contact sleeve, a switch pivoted at one end upon the other contact sleeve, a link of insulating material connecting the intermediate portion of the second switch arm with one end of the first switch arm, a pair of spaced contact plates carried by the intermediate portion of each switch arm and adapted to receive between them the free end of the other switch arm in one position of the arms, and a handle carried by one switch arm.

8. A section insulator and switch including splice sleeves adapted to lockingly receive ends of trolley wires, a block of insulating material having its ends secured 1n. adjacent ends of the splice sleeves, whereby the sleeves are insulated from each other, a switch arm pivoted intermediate its length upon one contact sleeve, a switch pivoted at one end upon the other contact sleeve, a link of insulating material connecting the intermedi ate portion of the second switch arm with one end of the first switch arm, a pair of spaced contact plates carried by the inter mediate portion of each switch arm and adapted to receive between them the free end of the other switch arm in one position of the arms, a handle carried by one switch arm, and means carried by the switch arms for bridging the gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves to provide a continuous electrical contact surface for a trolley wheel when the switch is closed.

9. A section insulator and switch including splice sleeves adapted to lockingly receive ends of trolley wires, a block of insulating material having its ends secured in adjacent ends of the splice sleeves, whereby the sleeves are insulated from each other, a switch arm pivoted intermediate its length upon one contact sleeve, a switch pivoted at one end upon the other contact sleeve, a link of insulating material connecting the intermediate portion of the second switch arm with one end of the first switch arm, a pair of spaced contact plates carried by the intermediate portion of each switch arm and adapted to receive between them the free end of the other switch arm in one position of the arms, a handle carried by one switch arm, and means carried by the switch arms for bridging the gap between the adjacent ends of the splice sleeves to provide a continuous electrical contact surface for a trolley wheel when the switch is closed, said means including depending contact plates having their lower edges inbent to engage each other beneath the block of insulating material.

10. A section insulator and switch including wire receiving sleeves insulated from each other, and switch members mounted one on each sleeve and movable in and out of engagement with each other.

11. A section insulator and: switch including wire receiving sleeves insulated from each other, switch members mounted one on each sleeve and movable in and out of engagement with each other, and means for causing simultaneous movement of the switch members.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature.

NEWTON K. BOWMAN. [n s.]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

